We are campaigning against the sale of Bacardi in the Guild because of the detrimental impact the 61-year United States’ blockade of Cuba has had on the Cuban economy, and subsequently the living standards in the country –a sign that civilians are not cared about. The United Nations General Assembly continues to vote with near unanimity to condemn the blockade on Cuba and call for the United States to end it immediately.
But what does this have to do with Bacardi? Bacardi founded and still funds the Cuban American National Foundation, which has been implicated in terrorist bombings and sabotage against Cuba, and Bacardi’s lobbying of the United States to continue its blockade against Cuba raises some serious ethical concerns. Moreover, Bacardi has given support to oppressive regimes in Chile, Guatemala, and El Salvador, as well as terrorist groups such as the Contras in Nicaragua and death squads in Colombia. These actions are incompatible with the ethical standards that the Guild should uphold.
Regardless of people’s views on the Cuban government, it cannot be denied that Bacardi is actively harming the Cuban economy and by extension Cuban people, who are suffering because of the randomness of their birthplace. The Helms-Burton Act, which extends the United States’ blockade of Cuba to third countries that Bacardi lawyers helped to write, is a breach of international trade law. Furthermore, Bacardi claims of being Cuban is fraudulent as the company’s operations are all conducted outside of Cuba. The US blockade against Cuba is unlawful, as is Bacardi’s active support for it.
This is why we are calling for an ethical boycott of Bacardi as soon as is practicable and to replace it with a more ethical rum, such as Havana Club.
Think before you drink. Boycott Bacardi.